| What qualifications do you have? |
I studied Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Biology at A level, and I have a BSc in Mathematics and a PGCE in Secondary Education both from the University of Warwick. I've taught, tutored and examined A level Maths and A level Further Maths For over 15 years, and am currently Subject Lead for Further Maths and Computer Science at a large sixth form. I hold a current enhanced DBS check. |
| How much?? |
One to one tuition is not cheap, but for a student determined to learn, it will be good value. Tuition from anyone with a bit of know-how in the subject can be valuable, but support from a subject expert working in education will cost more. If you're looking for support for a younger student, or are prepared to take a chance on a keen ex-student without much experience, it would be cheaper. Many of my own A level students have done some tuition with great success. Alternatively, you can arrange sessions less often than the usual (weekly), or a few one-off sessions during a holiday. |
| What about AI? |
Large language models are improving so fast that much of what I might say may be out of date by the time you read this, but while AI is getting better and better at solving maths problems and even (with the right prompts) supporting learning, it is not the same as a tutor. It is programmed for plausible, not truthful (since that's all we can currently do), so it will tell you what you want to hear rather than what is true. A loss of resilience and perseverance in problem solving is just one of the issues students have to contend with, now that help is only a few taps away. A tutor or teacher will know when to help, and how much, and - just as importantly - when to hold back and let you be stuck. Computers (just like calculators before, and writing before that) are tools for out-sourcing our thinking, and can be incredibly useful. But just as we don't rely on calculators when learning the basics of numbers, we need to resist relying on LLMs when training our brains to solve problems under pressure. |
| What if I have to cancel a session? |
If you can't make a session you've booked, please let me know as soon as possible. Life gets in the way and I don't charge for missed sessions. On the flip side, I have a young family of my own, and occasionally may have to cancel sessions myself - when this happens, I'll always endeavour to provide the option of an additional slot elsewhere in the week. Payment can be in cash or by bank transfer, invoiced at the end of each month. |
| How do I become a maths tutor? |
If you enjoy the subject, and explaining it to others, it's a great little side-hustle (especially if you already teach maths - you'll have your finger on the pulse and ready access to useful resources and decent pedagogy). Word of mouth is a good starting point - you don't need any special qualifications; if you do a good enough job, people will recommend you to their friends and families. Try sites like TutorHunt, UKTutors and FirstTutors for decent opportunities with sensible commission models. Or set up your own website like me! Feel free to get in touch if you are interested in finding out more. Always happy to help. |
